Michael Roth

Roth recovered from a bad season at Double-A Arkansas in 2013 to post a 2.62 ERA in 140.2 innings last season, but once again struggled in a short stint at the major league level. While he was a victi...

Roth began the 2013 season in Double-A Arkansas, and was given the chance to start his first major league game when Tommy Hanson was skipped for personal reasons in late April, but was hammered by the Rangers, giving up five runs in 3.1 innings. Things didn't get any better for Roth in 2013, as he posted ERAs of 4.20 and 7.20 in Double-A Arkansas and with the Angels, respectively. Ironically, the sky-high 7.20 ERA he posted in the majors came while the 23-year-old lefty put up the best peripherals of his career, including a 2.7 BB/9 rate. He also did not allow a home run in his 20 innings pitched, but was saddled with a .369 BABIP to go along with a dreadfully low 48.4 percent strand rate. Though he doesn't throw particularly hard, his big frame may leave him room to develop. Roth will have to improve his overall walk and strikeout rates in order to be successful in 2014, as he will go into the season hopefully recovered from minor surgery on his thumb.